Both O'Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW) are great airports — but they serve different travelers and different parts of the Chicago area. If you have a choice between the two, here's how to make the right call.
ORD or MDW: Which Is Cheaper From Your Suburb?
There is no single answer, and that is the whole point — the cheaper airport flips depending on which side of the metro area you start from. O’Hare sits north-west, Midway south-west, so they are on opposite corners. A flat-rate sedan from Arlington Heights is $65 to O’Hare but $110 to Midway, a $45 swing. Travel from Bolingbrook and it reverses: $85 to O’Hare, $82 to Midway. From Oak Lawn the two cost exactly the same. Fare is not the only factor — O’Hare has four terminals, 190+ gates and 80+ airlines including nearly all international routes, while Midway is a single compact terminal of 43 gates that Southwest dominates and that you can walk gate-to-door in about ten minutes. So O’Hare usually wins on flight choice and Midway on speed through the building. But the taxi fare is the part most travellers never check, and it is the one that shifts most with your address.
| From | Sedan to O’Hare | Sedan to Midway | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington Heights | $65 | $110 | O’Hare |
| Schaumburg | $68 | $112 | O’Hare |
| Naperville | $83 | $90 | O’Hare |
| Oak Lawn | $88 | $88 | Same |
| Bolingbrook | $85 | $82 | Midway |
| Orland Park | $95 | $92 | Midway |
So check the fare from your own suburb before you pick a flight — on a round trip the difference can outweigh a cheaper ticket. See the flat rate from your suburb to both airports, or call dispatch on (224) 333-2462.
Quick Overview: O'Hare vs Midway
| O'Hare (ORD) | Midway (MDW) | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Northwest suburbs (Rosemont area) | Southwest Chicago (near Cicero/Oak Lawn) |
| Size | Very large — 4 terminals, 190+ gates | Compact — 1 terminal, 43 gates |
| Airlines | All major airlines, 80+ airlines total | Southwest Airlines dominates; American, Delta |
| International | Yes — Terminal 5 | Very limited international |
| Ease of navigation | Complex — allow extra time | Simple — gate to door in 10 min |
| On-time performance | More delays (busier airport) | Generally better on-time record |
| Taxi rates from north suburbs | Lower (closer) | Higher (farther) |
| Taxi rates from south suburbs | Higher (farther) | Lower (closer) |
Which Airport is Closer to You?
This is the biggest factor for most suburban travelers:
O'Hare is closer if you live in:
- Northwest suburbs: Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village, Des Plaines, Rosemont
- North suburbs: Evanston, Northbrook, Glenview, Skokie, Niles
- Far northwest: Crystal Lake, McHenry, Elgin, Barrington, Huntley
- West suburbs: Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Naperville (roughly equal)
- Wisconsin/Indiana: Most locations closer to O'Hare
Midway is closer if you live in:
- Southwest suburbs: Orland Park, Tinley Park, Mokena, Frankfort, New Lenox
- South suburbs: Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park, Blue Island, Harvey, Calumet City
- Joliet area: Romeoville, Bolingbrook, Plainfield (slightly closer to MDW)
- Indiana border: Hammond, Munster, Merrillville
Flight Options
O'Hare wins on flight options — it's not close:
- O'Hare has 80+ airlines flying to 200+ destinations worldwide
- O'Hare is a major hub for United and American Airlines
- All international flights from Chicago use O'Hare (Terminal 5)
- Midway is primarily a Southwest hub — great if Southwest serves your route
- Southwest's no change fee and bags fly free policy can save significant money
Which Airport Has Better On-Time Performance?
Midway consistently outperforms O'Hare for on-time arrivals. O'Hare is one of the busiest airports in the world — more flights means more congestion on the runways and in the air. Midway has fewer daily operations and generally moves more efficiently. If your route is available at both airports and price is equal, Midway's reliability is a real advantage.
Cost Comparison for Taxi from Common Suburbs
| City | To O'Hare (ORD) | To Midway (MDW) | Better Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schaumburg | $68 | ~$88 | O'Hare |
| Crystal Lake | $91 | ~$108 | O'Hare |
| Naperville | $83 | ~$85 | Roughly equal |
| Joliet | $105 | ~$90 | Midway |
| Orland Park | $90 | ~$70 | Midway |
| Tinley Park | $95 | ~$72 | Midway |
| Oak Lawn | $82 | ~$62 | Midway |
| Evanston | $75 | ~$95 | O'Hare |
✓ Bottom Line
Choose O'Hare if: You live in the north or northwest suburbs, you need international flights, or your airline doesn't fly Midway.
Choose Midway if: You live in the south or southwest suburbs, Southwest Airlines serves your route, or you prefer a smaller, easier-to-navigate airport.
When in doubt, compare taxi costs both ways — it's often a $15–25 difference that tips the decision.
Related Guides
- O'Hare Terminal 3 Taxi Pickup Tips →
- O'Hare to Chicago Suburbs Taxi Guide →
- Taxi to ORD Airport Guide →
- St. Charles to O'Hare Taxi →
- More Terminal Pickup Guides →
- O'Hare to Midway Airport Transfer →
Compare Your Rates to Both Airports
Use our quote tool to see your fare to both O'Hare and Midway — then choose what works best for your trip.
Get Instant Quote →Or call (224) 333-2462 — 24/7